Emanuel ducks gambling chairman's criticism of Chicago casino bill

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today did not directly respond to a state gambling regulator's contention that he would be "flabbergasted" if Gov. Pat Quinn signs a major gambling expansion into law.

The mayor was asked about Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe's Wednesday comments about the gambling bill, which includes a Chicago casino. Jaffe also repeated his previous description of the expansion measure as “garbage.”

Emanuel chose to explain once more why he supports a Chicago casino.

“As you know, it’s not that I came into the casino as an enthusiast,” Emanuel said at an event to highlight city cost-saving efforts. “But we do have gaming in Chicago. It just happens to be in Indiana. We lose $20 million — approximately — a month to Hammond, Indiana, and I couldn’t in good conscience continue to allow that.

“This was an issue of debate for 20 years, approximately. On that evaluation, I helped pass a bill that allows Chicago to own a casino, run a casino and bring in that revenue to the city.”

Emanuel said he was not crazy about gambling but nevertheless didn’t want to miss the chance to pump millions of dollars into city coffers that now flow across the state line to nearby Indiana. And he suggested Quinn would end up agreeing with him.

“I do believe when the governor weighs it, and weighs all the equities and analyzes it, he’ll come to the conclusion that I came to on behalf of the city of Chicago,” Emanuel said.

In addition to a Chicago casino, the measure would allow gambling in Rockford, Lake County, southern Cook County and Danville. Slot machines would be allowed at horse racing tracks and the state fairgrounds in Springfield. O'Hare International and Midway airports could run slots, and existing floating casinos could grow their operations and move to land.

Quinn is meeting with opponents and supports, saying he will make a quick decision once the bill, approved recently by both chambers of the General Assembly, is sent to him. But after Quinn called the bill top heavy, Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, put a hold on it.

Emanuel, who personally lobbied lawmakers after proposed gambling expansions including a Chicago casino had repeatedly failed to win legislative approval in previous years, said the measure was not an economic “panacea” for cash-strapped Chicago. Instead, it would help the city upgrade public utilities, transportation and schools, he said.

“It will create jobs here in the city of Chicago, create revenue,” he said, adding that he would use “that revenue only for investment in Chicago’s future, meaning infrastructure, improving our water delivery, improving our public transportation, our schools, our broadband, so we stay economically competitive. It won’t be for paying our bills. It will be for investing in our economic future.”

Mayor Rahm EmanuelÖ today repeated his call for Gov. Pat QuinnÖ to sign a bill that would allow a city-run casino in Chicago, a day after the state's top gambling regulator again described the measure as “garbage.”

Emanuel said he was not crazy about gambling but nevertheless didn’t want to miss the chance to pump millions of dollars into city coffers that now flow across the state line to nearby Indiana. And he suggested Quinn would end up agreeing with him.

“I do believe when the governor weighs it, and weighs all the equities and analyzes it, he’ll come to the conclusion that I came to on behalf of the city of Chicago,” Emanuel said.

He was responding to comments made Wednesday by Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron JaffeÖ, who said he would be “flabbergasted” if Quinn signed the bill, repeating his previous description of it as “garbage.”

It was the result of a backroom deal cut on behalf of special interests that would undermine gambling regulation, Jaffe said, adding that Quinn understands his view.

Emanuel did not directly address Jaffe’s comments. Instead, he explained once more why he supports a Chicago casino.

“As you know, it’s not that I came into the casino as an enthusiast,” Emanuel said at an event to highlight city cost-saving efforts. “But we do have gaming in Chicago. It just happens to be in Indiana. We lose $20 million — approximately — a month to Hammond, Indiana, and I couldn’t in good conscience continue to allow that.

“This was an issue of debate for 20 years, approximately. On that evaluation, I helped pass a bill that allows Chicago to own a casino, run a casino and bring in that revenue to the city.”

In addition to a Chicago casino, the measure would allow gambling in RockfordÖ, Lake CountyÖ, southern Cook CountyÖ and DanvilleÖ. Slot machines would be allowed at horse racing tracks and the state fairgrounds in SpringfieldÖ. O'Hare InternationalÖ and MidwayÖ airports could run slots, and existing floating casinos could grow their operations and move to land.

Quinn is meeting with opponents and supports, saying he will make a quick decision once the bill, approved recently by both chambers of the General Assembly, is sent to him. But after Quinn called the bill top heavy, Senate President John CullertonÖ, D-Chicago, put a hold on it.

Emanuel, who personally lobbied lawmakers after proposed gambling expansions including a Chicago casino had repeatedly failed to win legislative approval in previous years, said the measure was not an economic “panacea” for cash-strapped Chicago. Instead, it would help the city upgrade public utilities, transportation and schools, he said.

“It will create jobs here in the city of Chicago, create revenue,” he said, adding that he would use “that revenue only for investment in Chicago’s future, meaning infrastructure, improving our water delivery, improving our public transportation, our schools, our broadband, so we stay economically competitive. It won’t be for paying our bills. It will be for investing in our economic future.”